Hiroshi Tanahashi Reveals Bushiroad Employees Were Frustrated After Yota Tsuji’s Comments At NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka

Some Bushiroad employees were not pleased.

After Yota Tsuji retained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka, he grabbed a microphone and put the spotlight on NJPW’s parent company, Bushiroad.

Tsuji stated that the wrestlers are not just cards in a game and added that they risk their lives when they step into the ring. Tsuji’s remarks stemmed from the talent departures that NJPW recently faced. Tsuji has since apologized for his comments and was shown support by NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi.

During an interview with Proresu-TODAY, Tanahashi opened up about that situation and revealed that some Bushiroad employees were frustrated with Tsuji’s remarks. Tanahashi had a talk with Tsuji and then chatted with Bushiroad owner Takaaki Kidani.

“As Tsuji responded to that remark in the ring by saying, ‘Let’s all look in the same direction. Let’s walk together to make this promotion stronger and bigger,’ and the fundamental desire to improve the promotion is something both the staff and the wrestlers are completely united on. However, Tsuji’s use of the analogy of ‘cards in a card game’ was inconsiderate of Bushiroad, the owner company. It is true that some of the Bushiroad employees who have been so supportive of New Japan Pro-Wrestling felt sad or frustrated.

As Tsuji himself mentioned afterward, the way he conveyed it led to misunderstandings, and we must never lack respect for our business partners with whom we walk side by side. Afterward, I had a thorough discussion with Tsuji, and I also spoke directly with Bushiroad’s owner, Mr. Kidani.”

Next up for Tsuji is an IWGP Heavyweight Title defense on April 4th at Sakura Genesis against the winner of the 2026 New Japan Cup tournament.